Koepka loving 'incredible' experience

Brooks Koepka welcomed the inclusion of another rookie in the United States' Ryder Cup team and is excited for his chance.

For a long time, Koepka was the lone rookie on the USA squad.

His position as the most inexperienced member was remedied when Davis Love III made Ryan Moore -- also a Ryder Cup rookie -- his final captain's pick.

"I guess it's nice to have another rookie going through the same thing, same feelings, stuff like that," Koepka said during his Wednesday news conference.

"Just to be here is incredible. It's been a long journey and it's fun to finally be here instead of watching."

Koepka played with Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler on Wednesday, and he appeared to have a solid bond with Walker, though he mentioned all four of them are friends who have a good time playing together.

"All those guys have been a part of a Ryder Cup, so they have kind of helped me on what to expect and how things are going," Koepka said.

"It's cool, you know, to be around guys like Phil, and obviously Rickie. He's pretty much the same age as me and he's gone through it. So it's fun to be around those guys. I mean, we're joking, having a good time, but yet at the same time, we're getting our work done and really enjoying it."

After being snubbed from a Ryder Cup selection in 2014 and again in 2015 for the Presidents Cup, Koepka finds himself in a great situation to stamp his mark on this team.

The windy conditions Tuesday and Wednesday gave him fits, but his raw power shone through when he was able to take the driver out and go for it.

"This week, I think length is quite important," Koepka said.

"I know guys are going to be trying to hit it far, and with the rough down, it's not a big deal. Even if you do spray it a little bit and you're in the rough, you always seem to have a shot.

"You're not getting much flyers out of the rough, and it's not that deep where you're chopping it out. Pretty much I guess our mentality right now is just hit it as far as you can off that tee. I think having a couple wedges, shorter irons into these greens is going to be a big difference."

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